Infant support system for nursing mothers

ABSTRACT

The infant support system provides a method for enabling a nursing mother to breastfeed a baby without using her hands to hold the baby. In one embodiment of the invention the mother is seated on a chair or rocker and a support pillow is placed across the mother&#39;s lap. A relatively small pillow is placed on the support pillow below the mother&#39;s nursing breast. The baby is then positioned on its side on the support pillow such that its head is supported on the relatively small pillow in alignment with the mother&#39;s nursing breast. Another relatively small pillow is placed behind the baby&#39;s back to stabilize the position of the baby while the baby is nursing. In another embodiment of the invention the mother is in a reclining position on a mattress and a relatively small pillow is used to support the baby&#39;s head in alignment with the nursing breast of the nursing mother, and another relatively small pillow is placed behind the baby&#39;s back to stabilize the position of the baby while the baby is nursing. In this manner whether the mother is seated or in a reclining position the nursing session can be accomplished without the mother having to hold the baby.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

This invention is directed to an infant support system for nursing mothers or infant breastfeeders and more particularly to a novel system of support pillows for positioning and supporting a breastfeeding baby to enhance the effectiveness of the nursing activity and also enhance the comfort of the nursing mother and baby during breastfeeding. The invention is also directed to a method for enabling a nursing mother to breastfeed a baby without using the mother's hands to hold the baby.

As used herein the term “nursing mother” is intended to include “infant breastfeeders”.

Breastfeeding a baby is generally recognized by pediatricians as an excellent way of providing essential nourishment to a baby. During breastfeeding a baby is positioned by the nursing mother adjacent to her nursing breast to enable the baby's mouth to align with the nursing nipple. The nursing mother can be, for example, in a sitting or reclining position. Once the baby's mouth aligns with the mother's nursing nipple, the baby can easily engage or properly “latch-on” to the nursing nipple.

In some instances a latch-on can be accomplished when a baby's mouth is not accurately aligned with the mother's nursing nipple. For example the baby's mouth may be slightly above, below or beside the nursing nipple resulting in a misaligned or improper latch-on of the baby's mouth to the breast nipple. When there is an improper latch-on by the baby to the nursing nipple the breastfeeding may result in less milk being transferred to the baby than can be obtained with a proper latch-on. An improper latch-on can also cause a soreness or irritation of the nursing mother's nipples.

Thus a proper latch-on is essential in providing the most effective breastfeeding. However even with a proper latch-on by the baby, the breastfeeding activity can be arduous for the nursing mother if during breastfeeding, she is uncomfortable or experiences any pain.

In some cases the nursing mother will position herself or the baby in an awkward or uncomfortable position in order to enable the baby to obtain a latch-on to the nursing nipple. Generally, a typical breastfeeding session can take approximately 10 to 30 minutes to complete. Therefore, even a relatively lightweight baby can fatigue the nursing mother if the baby or the mother is in an uncomfortable position during breastfeeding.

An awkward breastfeeding position for a nursing mother can also lead to lingering pain or discomfort in one or more of the neck, back, shoulder, arm and leg of the nursing mother. Any discomforting or painful situation during breastfeeding can cause the nursing mother to interrupt the breastfeeding activity to obtain some relief from the discomfort or pain. Furthermore, a nursing mother's anticipation of discomfort or pain during breastfeeding may discourage the mother from breastfeeding and rely entirely on bottle feeding.

It is thus desirable to provide an infant support system for nursing mothers that enables precise alignment of the baby's mouth with the mother's nursing nipple, while the nursing mother is in a comfortable sitting or reclining position. It is also desirable to enable the nursing mother to breastfeed a baby without using a mother's hands to hold the baby.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a simplified pictorial view of one embodiment of an infant support system in accordance with the invention wherein a three pillow support system is arranged to elevate and maintain a nursing baby in a cradle position for proper latch-on and enable a nursing mother in a seated position to assume a hands free position during nursing;

FIG. 2 is a simplified pictorial view of another embodiment of the in support system in accordance with the invention wherein a four pillow support system is arranged to elevate and maintain a nursing baby in a cradle position for proper latch-on and enable a nursing mother in a seated position to assume a hands free position during nursing; and,

FIG. 3 is a simplified pictorial view of a further embodiment of the infant support system in accordance with the invention wherein a two pillow support system is arranged to elevate and maintain a nursing baby in a cradle position for proper latch-on and enable a nursing mother in a reclining position to assume a hands free position without bearing the weight of the baby during nursing.

Corresponding reference numbers indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings, an infant support system incorporating one embodiment of the invention is generally indicated by the reference number 10 in FIG. 1.

It should be noted that the infant support systems disclosed herein are intended for use with a newborn baby up to about 6 months of age, and more specifically for a baby whose weight ranges from about 5 pounds to about 20 pounds.

The system 10 uses a relatively large pillow 12 (hereinafter referred to as the “large pillow 12”) as a support base. The large pillow 12 has a casing 14 and is especially useful as a support base when the nursing mother 18 is seated on a chair or rocker 20 as shown in FIG. 1 or on any other suitable known seating arrangement. The large pillow 12 is placed on the lap 26 of the seated nursing mother 18 and includes a top portion 28, a bottom portion 30 and opposite end portions 32 and 34. Preferably the large pillow 12 has a length that is sized to span the mother's lap 26 and extend slightly beyond the extremities of the mother's chest.

The large pillow 12 can be, for example, a conventional bed pillow with a length between end portions 32 and 34 of about 26 to 36 inches, a width of about 20 to 26 inches and a thickness between top and bottom portions 28 and 30 of about 3 to 12 inches based on filler material inside the casing 14. Preferably the filler material of the large pillow 12 is sufficiently soft to enable the torso 36 and the legs 38 of the baby 40 to rest comfortably on the top portion 28 of the pillow 12.

The support system 10 also includes a first mini-pillow 46 with a shell or casing 47 having opposite end portions 48, 50 (FIG. 3) and opposite side portions 52 and 54 (FIG. 3). The end portions 48, 50 and the side portions 52 and 54 define a generally rectangular periphery of the mini-pillow 46. The first mini-pillow 46 also has a top portion 58 and a bottom portion 60 (FIG. 1).

The first mini-pillow 46 is positioned on the top portion 28 of the large pillow 12 near the end portion 34 of the large pillow 12 underneath the baby's head 56 such that the opposite side portions 52 and 54 (FIG. 3) of the mini-pillow 46 extend toward and away from the nursing breast 66 of the nursing mother 18 as shown in FIG. 1.

The side portions 52 and 54 (FIG. 3) of the first mini-pillow 46 can have a length of about 8 to 24 inches, preferably about 9 to 12 inches. The end portions 48 and 50 (FIG. 3) of the mini-pillow 46 can have a width of about 3 to 8 inches, preferably about 4 to 6 inches. The mini-pillow 46 can also have a thickness between the top and bottom portions 58 and 60 (FIG. 1), based on filler material inside the casing 47, of about 1 to 4 inches, preferably about 1 to 3 inches.

The fill and softness of the first mini-pillow 46 enable the mini-pillow 46 to be shaped by manually fluffing and/or compressing; selected areas of the mini-pillow 46 to permit an elevational height adjustment of the baby's head 56 ranging from about ¼ inch to about 3 inches above the top surface 28 of the large pillow 12 at the end portion 34. The first mini-pillow 46 thus permits adjustment of the elevation of the baby's head 56 relative to the mother's nursing breast 66 to precisely align the baby's mouth (not shown) opposite the mother's nursing breast 66. In this manner the baby's mouth can be located directly opposite the mother's nursing nipple (not shown) to ensure a proper latch-on to the nursing nipple.

The infant support system 10 further includes a second mini-pillow 70 (FIG. 1) similar in shape to the first mini-pillow 46. The second mini-pillow 70 is positioned on the top portion 28 of the large pillow 12 to engage the baby's torso 36 at the back 72 of the baby 40.

The second mini-pillow 70 (FIG. 1) has a shell or casing 74, opposite end portions 76 and 78 and opposite side portions 80 and 82. The second mini-pillow 70 has a length of about 8 to 24 inches between end portions 76 and 78, preferably about 10 to 20 inches, a width of about 3 to 8 inches between the side portions 80 and 82, preferably about 4 to 6 inches, and a thickness based on filler material inside the casing 74 of about 1 to 4 inches, preferably about 2 to 3 inches.

Alternatively the second mini-pillow 70 can be of similar size and shape as the first mini-pillow 46.

As shown in FIG. 1 the second mini-pillow 70 engages the back 72 of the baby's torso 36 to stabilize the positioning of the baby's torso 36 in a cradle position on the top portion 28 of the large pillow 12 during breastfeeding.

The filling (not shown) for each of the pillows 12, 46 and 70 is preferably a known hypo-allergenic filler material, such as fibrous or particulate cotton, polyester, polyurethane, or flannel fabric or polyester or polyurethane foam material, or mixtures of such fibrous and/or foam filler material.

The casings 14, 47 and 74 of the pillows 12, 46, and 70 are substantially filled to capacity to resist collapse under the weight of the baby 40 but are not overstuffed, with the filler material. Each pillow 12, 46 and 70 has a softness that enables the pillow to be manually fluffed or compressed by the mother to establish a shape, form, or contour that provides stable positioning of the baby. Fluffing and shaping of the pillows 12, 46 and 70 at each nursing session permits a precise elevation adjustment of the baby's torso 36, legs 38 and head 56 for proper latch-on of the baby's mouth to the nursing breast 66 of the nursing mother 18.

The pillows 12, 46, and 70 are manufactured by means well known in the art. The casings 14, 47, and 74 of the pillows 12, 46, and 70 are preferably formed of a known hypo-allergenic fabric, preferably a non-textured soft, smooth surfaced fabric such as cotton or flannel, preferably 100% cotton.

The casings 14, 47 and 74 of the pillows 12, 46 and 70 can have any selected decorative design or pattern. The first mini-pillow 46 and the second mini-pillow 70 are preferably washable in a conventional washing machine and dryable in a conventional clothes dryer machine. If desired one or more of the pillows 12, 46 and 70 can also be provided with a removable pillow case (not shown).

In using the system 10, the nursing mother 18 initially positions herself in a comfortable sitting position on the chair or rocker 20 as shown in FIG. 1. Next, the relatively large pillow 12 is placed on the lap 26 of the seated nursing mother 18. The first generally rectangular mini-pillow 46 is placed on the top portion 28 of the large pillow 12, near the end portion 34 of the large pillow 12.

The baby 40 is then placed on its right side as viewed in FIG. 1 on the top portion 28 of the large pillow 12, in a so-called “cradle position” wherein one facial side of the baby's head 56 faces upwardly and the opposite facial side of the baby's head 56 faces downwardly. The downward facial side of the baby's head 56 rests on the top portion 58 of the first mini-pillow 46. Also, the right side of the baby's torso 36 and the baby's legs 38 rest on the top portion 28 of the large pillow 12. Under this arrangement, the baby 40 is comfortably positioned on its right side with the baby's mouth (not shown) opposite the nursing breast 66 of the nursing mother 18. The second mini-pillow 70 is then placed on the top portion 28 of the large pillow 12 behind the baby's back 72 and torso 36 to maintain the baby 40 on its side in the cradle position.

As previously noted, the pillows 12, 46 and 70 provide a soft and shapable or formable support for the baby 40. When the first generally rectangular mini-pillow 46 is placed on the top portion 28 of the large pillow 12 beneath the baby's head 56 the mini-pillow 46 can be fluffed or manually shaped by the mother to obtain a precise adjustment of the elevation of the baby's head 56 relative to the nursing breast 66 when the nursing mother 18 is in a comfortable seated position as shown in FIG. 1.

As previously described, the first generally rectangular mini-pillow 46 can be shaped or formed by manually fluffing and/or compressing selected areas of the pillow 46 to provide a desired contour or shape for the pillow 46 that provides the needed elevational height adjustment of the baby's head 56. The baby's head 56 is precisely elevated when propped up by the mini-pillow 46 such that the baby's mouth can be located directly opposite the nipple of the mother's nursing breast 66 to ensure a proper latch-on to the nursing nipple. The baby 40 is thus positioned by the system 10 for a proper latch-on while the nursing mother 18 is in a comfortable sitting position.

In this manner, the support system 10 maintains the desired elevation of the baby's head 56 during breastfeeding such that a proper latch-on by the baby 40 to the nursing nipple is continuously maintained during a breastfeeding session.

Also as shown in FIG. 1, the support system 10 enables the nursing mother 18 to breastfeed the baby 40 without use of the mother's hands 80 to support or stabilize the baby 40 during breastfeeding. Under this arrangement nursing can be carried out on a hands-free basis, if desired. Thus, there is no need for the nursing mother 18 to hold the baby or manually bear the baby's weight during breastfeeding.

It should be understood in accordance with the system 10 that the baby 40 can also be placed on its left side (not shown) with the first mini-pillow 46 located near the end portion 32 of the large pillow 12 to support the left side of the baby's head 56. The second mini-pillow 70 is then placed on the top portion 28 of the large pillow 12 behind the baby's back 72 and torso 36 to maintain the baby 40 on its side in the cradle position. Under this arrangement the baby's mouth is located opposite the nursing breast 68 of the nursing mother 18.

Another embodiment of the invention is generally indicated by the infant support system 90 in FIG. 2. The system 90 uses the large pillow 12 as a support base. The system 90 includes the first generally rectangular mini-pillow 46 underneath the baby's head 56 to adjust the elevation of the baby's head 56 relative to the nursing breast 68. The system 90 also includes the second mini-pillow 70 to engage the back 72 of the baby's torso 36 to stabilize the positioning of the baby's torso 36 in a cradle position on the top portion 28 of the large pillow 12 during breastfeeding.

The infant support system 90 further includes a third generally rectangular mini-pillow 92 similar in size and shape to the second mini-pillow 70. The third generally rectangular mini-pillow 92 is positioned underneath the large pillow 12 in line with the baby's head 56, on the lap 26 of a comfortably seated nursing mother 18 as shown in FIG. 2.

Preferably the third mini-pillow 92 is located on just one knee or thigh 98 of the mother's lap 26 wherein the thigh 98 corresponds to the nursing breast 68 from which the baby 40 will nurse. Thus, the first and third rectangular mini-pillows 46 and 92 are positioned in line with the baby's head 56 to permit an elevation adjustment of the baby's head 56 to align the baby's mouth with the nursing nipple of the nursing mother 70, while the baby is in a cradle position as shown in FIG. 2.

The combination of the first and third rectangular mini-pillows 46 and 92 above and below the large pillow 12 permits a precise elevation adjustment of the baby's head 56 and mouth relative to the mother's nursing nipple. Such dual adjustment provided by the first and third rectangular mini-pillows 46 and 92 may be desirable when the distance between the mother's nursing nipple and the baby's mouth cannot be bridged by use of only one of the mini-pillows 46 and 92.

Thus, the use of both the first and third rectangular mini-pillows 46 and 92 provides the means for obtaining a desirable elevation adjustment of the baby's head 56 and mouth to precisely align the baby's mouth with the nursing nipple of the nursing mother 18 for a proper latch-on while the nursing mother 18 is in a comfortable sitting position on a chair or rocker 20.

In this manner the support system 90 maintains the desired elevation of the baby's head 56 during breastfeeding such that a proper latch-on by the baby 40 to the nursing nipple is continuously maintained during a breastfeeding session.

The infant support system 90 does not require use of the mother's hands 80 to support or stabilize the cradle position of the baby 40 during breastfeeding. Thus, with the system 90, breastfeeding can be conducted on a hands-free basis without the need for the mother 18 to manually bear the weight of the baby 40 during breastfeeding.

It should be understood in accordance with the system 90 that the baby 40 can also be placed on its right side (not shown) with the first mini-pillow 46 located near the end portion 34 of the large pillow 12 to support the right side of the baby's head 56 opposite the mother's breast 66. The third mini-pillow 92 is positioned underneath the large pillow 12 and on the mother's lap 26 in line with the baby's head 56. The second mini-pillow 70 is then placed on the top portion 28 of the large pillow 12 behind the baby's back 72 and torso 36 to maintain the baby 40 on its side in the cradle position. Under this arrangement the baby's mouth is located opposite the nipple of the nursing breast 66 of the nursing mother 18.

A further embodiment of the invention is generally indicated by the infant support system 110 in FIG. 3, wherein the nursing mother 18 is in a reclining position on a surface portion 112 of a conventional bed or mattress 114. The support system 110 thus uses the conventional bed or mattress 114 as a support base for the system 110. The support system 110 includes the first rectangular mini-pillow 46 between the baby's head 56 and the top portion 112 of the mattress 114 to adjust the elevation of the baby's head 56 from the mattress surface 112 relative to the nursing breast 66. The support system 110 also includes the second rectangular mini-pillow 70 to engage the baby's back 72 and help maintain the baby 40 on its right side in a cradle position during nursing.

In use of the system 110, as shown in FIG. 3, the nursing mother 18 reclines, for example, on her left side on the top surface portion 112 of the mattress 114. The baby 40 is placed by the mother 18 in a cradle position on its right side on the top portion 112 of the mattress 114 facing the mother's nursing breast 66. With the baby 40 in the cradle position, the right side of the baby's torso 36 and legs 38 rest on the top portion 112 of the mattress 114 and right side of the baby's head 56 rests on the first rectangular mini-pillow 46.

The second rectangular mini-pillow 70 at the baby's back 72 helps maintain the baby's torso 36 in a stable position on its right side while the baby's mouth (not shown) confronts the nursing breast 66 of the nursing mother 18.

The first rectangular mini-pillow 46 beneath the baby's head 56 permits a precise adjustment of the elevation of the baby's head 56 relative to the mother's nursing breast 66. In this manner the baby's mouth can align with the nursing nipple of the nursing mother 18 for a proper latch-on. The support system 110 thus maintains the desired elevation of the baby's head 56 during breastfeeding such that a proper latch-on by the baby 40 to the nursing nipple is continuously maintained during a breastfeeding session.

The precise alignment of the baby's mouth with the mother's nursing nipple while the nursing mother 18 is in a comfortable reclining position on the mattress 114 enables the nursing session to take place without the need for the nursing mother 18 to use her hands 80 to support or stabilize the baby 40 during breastfeeding. The baby 40 is thus substantially weightless with respect to any physical effort that might be needed by the nursing mother 18. Nursing can thus be carried out on a hands-free basis.

It should be understood in accordance with the system 110 that the baby's head 56 can also be positioned on the mattress 114 in line with the mother's breast 68 (not shown). The baby's head 56 is supported by the first mini-pillow 46. The second mini-pillow 70 is then placed on the top portion 112 of the mattress 114 behind the baby's back 72 and torso 36 to maintain the baby 40 on its side in the cradle position. Under this arrangement the baby's mouth is located opposite the nipple of the nursing breast 68 of the nursing mother 18.

The nursing mother 18 can also shift her reclining position on the mattress 114 from her left side as shown in FIG. 3 to her right side (not shown). The baby 40 can also be positioned on its left side and its head 56 supported in a manner similar to described for the support system 110 to align the baby's mouth with either of the mother's nursing breasts 66 and 68.

If desired, more than one of the first mini-pillow 46 can be placed under the baby's head 56 for the desired height adjustment of the baby's head 56 relative to the nursing breast of the nursing mother. Also if desired more than one of the second mini-pillow 70 can be used one behind the other at the baby's back 72 to provide enhanced stability for the baby 40 when the baby 40 is in a cradle position.

As previously described all embodiments of the infant support system enable adjustment of the elevation of the baby's head 56 relative to the mother's nursing breast to precisely align the baby's mouth with the breast nipple of the nursing mother 18 for a proper latch-on while the nursing mother 18 is in a comfortable hands-free sitting or reclining position.

As various changes can be made in the above constructions and methods without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for enabling a nursing mother to breastfeed a baby without using the mother's hands to hold the baby comprising, a) positioning the nursing mother in a seated position on a chair or rocker such that the mother's legs are bent to define the mother's lap, b) placing a support pillow across the mother's lap, the support pillow having a length that is sized to span the mother's lap and extend slightly beyond the extremities of the mother's chest, c) providing a first relatively small pillow having a length of approximately 8 to 20 inches, a width of approximately 3 to 8 inches, and a thickness of approximately 1 to 4 inches on the support pillow below one of the nursing breasts of the nursing mother such that the length of the first relatively small pillow extends toward and away from the nursing breast of the nursing mother when the nursing mother is in the seated position, d) positioning a baby on its side on the support pillow such that one facial side of the baby's head faces downwardly, and the opposite facial side of the baby's head faces upwardly, and the downward facial side of the baby's head rests on top of the first relatively small pillow and the baby's mouth is opposite the nursing breast of the nursing mother, e) fluffing or shaping the first relatively small pillow to adjust the thickness of the pillow and the elevation of the baby's head relative to the nursing nipple of the seated nursing mother, such that the baby's mouth is aligned with the nursing nipple for a proper latch-on of the baby's mouth to the nursing nipple, and, f) placing a second relatively small pillow similar in size to the first relatively small pillow on the support pillow against the baby's back to help stabilize the position of the baby while the baby is latched-on to the nursing mother's nursing nipple.
 2. The method of claim 1 including placing more than one of the first relatively small pillow on the support pillow below one of the nursing breasts of the nursing mother.
 3. The method of claim 1 including placing a third relativity small pillow similar in size to the first relatively small pillow below the support pillow and on the mother's lap and in line with the baby's head.
 4. The method of claim 1 including placing more than one of the second relatively small pillows one behind the other against the baby's back.
 5. A method for enabling a nursing mother to breastfeed a baby without using the mother's hands to hold the baby comprising, a) positioning the nursing mother in a reclining position on a mattress such that the mother is lying on her side on the mattress, b) positioning a first relatively small pillow having a length of approximately 8 to 20 inches, a width of approximately 3 to 8 inches, and a thickness of approximately 1 to 4 inches on the support pillow below one of the nursing breasts of the nursing mother such that the length of the first relatively small pillow extends toward and away from the nursing breast of the nursing mother when the nursing mother is in the reclining position, c) positioning a baby on its side on the mattress such that one facial side of the baby's head faces downwardly, and the opposite facial side of the baby's head faces upwardly, and the downward facial side of the baby's head rests on top of the first relatively small pillow and the baby's mouth is opposite the nursing breast of the nursing mother, d) fluffing or shaping the first relatively small pillow to adjust the thickness of the pillow and the elevation of the baby's head relative to the nursing nipple of the seated nursing mother, such that the baby's mouth is aligned with the nursing nipple for a proper latch-on of the baby's mouth to the nursing nipple, and, e) placing a second relatively small pillow similar in size to the first relatively small pillow on the mattress against the baby's back to help stabilize the position of the baby while the baby is latched-on to the nursing mother's nursing nipple.
 6. The method of claim 5 including placing more than one the first relatively small pillows on the mattress below one of the nursing breasts of the nursing mother.
 7. The method of claim 5 including placing more than one on the second relatively small pillows one behind the other against the baby's back. 